Communities are preparing for a “social hurricane” to hit the poor as Universal Credit is rolled out across parts of Glasgow and Argyll this week.

MPs have warned that claimants for the new benefit will suffer hardship and that housing associations will quickly see rent arrears mount as the system is introduced.

The controversial benefit, which rolls six separate social security payments into one online claim, is being introduced on the south side of Glasgow on Wednesday, and rural areas like Argyll and Bute, and the Scottish islands.

Critics have warned the Universal Credit benefit system will increase hardship in some communities (Image: Getty Images Europe)